[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Wrentham 10-15-2001 STM (Art. 7.60, Sec. 2, of
the 2013 bylaws). Amendments noted where applicable.]
This bylaw is enacted for the purpose of protecting the historic
and aesthetic qualities of the Town by encouraging the preservation
of historically or architecturally significant buildings and structures
within the Town, and to encourage owners of such properties to seek
out persons who might be willing to purchase, preserve, rehabilitate
or restore such buildings or structures rather than demolish them,
and to allow an appropriate historical record of such buildings and
structures to be created.
[Amended 6-8-2015 ATM
by Art. 33]
As used in this bylaw, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
A fixed combination of any materials, having a roof, common
walls and passageway areas, and forming a structure for the shelter
of persons, animals or property.
The Wrentham Historical Commission.
Any act of willfully pulling down, destroying, removing or
razing a building or structure, or commencing the work of total or
substantial destruction with the intent of completing the same.
The Wrentham Building Commissioner.
Any building or structure listed on the National Register or
eligible for National Register listing.
Any building or structure researched and found by the Commission
to be historically significant, or architecturally significant in
terms of construction, or by association with an important architect,
builder, person or event.
A.
Within seven days of receipt of an application for a demolition permit
for a building or structure which is 50 years old or older, the Inspector
shall forward a copy of this application to the Commission. No demolition
permit should be issued at that time, and no demolition may occur.
The application shall include all current Field Cards from the Board
of Assessors for the subject property, as well as a description of
the demolition intended, including a list of all structures or portions
thereof to be demolished.
B.
Within 30 days from the Building Inspector's receipt of a complete
demolition permit application, the Commission shall determine whether
the structure is historically or architecturally significant. If the
Commission determines the building or structure is not considered
significant, the Commission shall so notify the Inspector in writing
and the Inspector may issue a demolition permit.
C.
If the building or structure is determined to be significant, the
Commission shall so notify the owner and the Inspector in writing,
and the Inspector shall not issue a demolition permit for a period
of 12 months from the date of the application, unless the Commission
informs the Inspector prior to the expiration of said 12 months that
the applicant for the demolition has made a reasonable but unsuccessful
effort to locate a purchaser for the building or structure, or one
who is willing to preserve, rehabilitate or restore the building or
structure, or has agreed to accept a demolition permit on specified
conditions approved by the Commission. If the Commission does not
determine that the building or structure is considered significant
within 30 days of the Building Inspector's receipt of a complete
demolition permit application, the Inspector may issue a demolition
permit.
Nothing in this bylaw shall restrict the Building Inspector
from immediately ordering the demolition of any building or structure
in the event of an imminent danger to the safety of the public.
A.
The Building Inspector and/or the Commission, as well as the Town,
are authorized to institute any and all actions and proceedings, in
law or equity, as they may deem necessary and appropriate to obtain
compliance with the requirements of this bylaw or to prevent a threatened
violation thereof.
B.
No building permit shall be issued with respect to any premises upon
which a building 50 years old or older has been voluntarily demolished
with disregard for the provisions of the bylaw, for a period of three
years after the date of the cessation of such demolition. As used
herein, "premises" refers to the land contained within the parcel
upon which the demolished building or structure was located and the
land contained within all adjoining parcels under common ownership
or control, whether subdivided or redivided.
C.
No permit for the erection of a new structure on the site of an existing
building determined to be a preferably preserved significant building
or structure may be issued prior to issuance of a permit for demolition
of such existing buildings.
Appeal from decisions or determinations of the Commission or
Inspector may be made to the Zoning Board of Appeals.
